Ryerson Art+Design Magazine (RADmag) was born out of a vision to create a medium of celebration, inspiration, and collaboration — to celebrate and showcase the work of students in Photography, Fashion, and Interior Design, to provide an outlet to inspire one another and the world at large, and aid in connecting students in these related visual disciplines.

A chair is the most complicated piece of furniture to design, and is as much a functional piece as it is a decorative element. The shape and form of a chair might be polished in the mind, but the outcome could be very different given its complexity. In this particular design, Elham Emami was mindful of both practicality and aesthetics when creating this piece. Thus, the aim was to design a chair that would provide comfort while also acting as a sculptural piece.

The relation between the human body and the structure of a chair was the first thing that was considered during the design process. The final design had to be satisfactory both in terms of form and function, but it also needed to fit the ergonomic expectations inspired by the famous Eames Lounge Chair. As such, the form of this design is relatively simple, but when the components of the piece come together, they create a shape that is supportive of human comfort.

The wooden dowels are used as tools for distancing and forming the overall structure. A new dimension was also added to the upper portion of the chair, going beyond the head, and an LED lighting installation space was created in the last dowel. This was the most challenging part of the process, as the cable had to be hidden from the eye. The chair was further developed by cushioning the dowels and covering them with textile, thus adding an extra function to this piece and making it suitable as a sun chair. The final result is an ergonomic and comfortable lounge chair that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The job of a designer is to create design solutions in the most simple and polished way. To Emami, the most inspiring projects are the ones that intrigue and challenge her thoughts. What has been one of her greatest challenges throughout her training years was the Furniture Design course that taught Emami about the limitless design possibilities. Finding the perfect combination of creativity, functionality, and comfort has always intrigued Emami. She sees art as her source of motivation and creation, and enjoys craftwork because of the connection it requires between the hand and the mind.

Emami also enjoys photography, as it is her guide through reality and the beauty that is around her. In her designs, she has always combined her daily activities with her surrounding senses.